RAPID CITY, S.D. – Adam Carlson made 36 saves in the Rapid City net but the Rush were shut out by the Toledo Walleye 3-0 on Saturday night at The Monument Ice Arena.
The game remained tied at zero until the second period when Toledo capitalized on a Rush neutral zone turnover. They brought the puck in with a 3-on-1 break and Gordie Green fed Brandon Hawkins for a one-timer from the left circle. He rocketed it past a lunging Carlson and the Walleye took a 1-0 lead.
Toledo added to that lead later in the second period after another neutral zone breakdown led to Andrew Sturtz speeding in with a breakaway. Sturtz deked to his backhand and flipped a shot past Carlson to make it 2-0.
Rapid City pulled Carlson for an extra attacker late in the third period and mounted some pressure but could not convert on any chances. Toledo eventually forced a turnover in the Rush zone and Thomas Ebbing picked up a loose puck and sent it into the open net, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Carlson stopped 36 of the 38 shots he faced and made several highlight reel saves but the Rush were shut out for the second consecutive night and fell to 22-26-1-0. Toledo improved to 30-15-4-2.
Rapid City will hit the road for its next five games, beginning on Friday night in Tulsa against the Oilers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT at the BOK Center.
